Treasures of Turkey

12 Days

Treasures of Turkey

Venture across Turkey, a treasure trove of marvelous landscapes and architectural

wonders. In Istanbul, at the crossroads of Asia and Europe, boat along the Bosphorus,

take in celebrated Hagia Sophia and marvel at the stunningly decorated Blue Mosque.

Fly to Adiyaman to see the spectacular UNESCO site of Mount Nemrud and discover

Urfa, the famed historic city of prophets. Then embark on a scenic four-day gulet cruise

along the Turquoise Coast, witness the ancient site of Aphrodisias and the thermal spa

of Hierapolis and take in the best of Turkey's rich cultural heritage.

Arrive: Istanbul, Turkey

Depart: Istanbul, Turkey

Duration: 12 Days

Group Size: 6-14 Guests

Minimum Age: 14 Years Old

Activity Level:

.

Details Testimonials

“Excellent food, swimming, hiking, gulet crew,exposure to diverse parts of the country, historicalcontext - ruins, civilizations, philosophies, beautyof the Mediterranean. Logistics were masterfullyhandled. Great variety of restaurants with excellentand diverse foods and settings."

Sandra D.

“It's a high quality experience with a veryprofessional staff and excellent service.”

Stephen M.

REASON #01

MT Sobek has been creating

immersive cultural adventures

for 50 years and we've been

exploring Turkey for decades!

REASON #02

Our local expert guides, whom we

have worked with for over 20 years,

will help you get to the heart of

Turkey, revealing insider knowledge

and going deeper in just 12 days.

REASON #03

This trip features a three-day

gulet cruise along Turkey's scenic

Turquoise Coast and visits little-

known UNESCO-listed wonders.

ACTIVITIES

Guided city walks, bazaar strolls,

museum visits, tours of off-the-

radar ancient ruins, scenic drives,

and a three-day gulet cruise.

LODGING

A boutique city retreat in Istanbul,

upscale city hotels throughout,

and a deluxe gulet for three nights.

CLIMATE

Summers are hot and dry,

with temperatures generally

around or above 86°F in the day.

Mesuthan is a graduate of Balikesir University's Department of

Tourism for Tourist Guides, and is MT Sobek’s foremost Turkish

authority for hiking, exploration, and culture. He is widely

regarded as one of our favorite guides and has a wonderful

demeanor with tremendous leadership qualities. His latest

notable adventure was summiting Mt. Ararat with fellow MT

Sobek legend Sergio Fitch-Watkins! Mesuthan is excited for the

return of our Turkey programs, and looks forward to an exciting

new chapter of fun and exploration.

Mesuthan Ozgen

Ozzy is a native of Turkey and loves to share her knowledge of

the country’s history and culture as an adventure travel guide.

In fact, she has guided in all areas of her country and especially

enjoys meeting Americans, after spending a number of years

studying in the United States (both in Missouri and Miami). In

her spare time, Ozlem pursues her interest in wildlife and sings

in a chorus.

Ozlem Ozgoren

                                                                ItineraryARRIVE IN ISTANBUL, TURKEY

Arrive any time today and meet an MT Sobek representative at Istanbul airport for a transfer to the hotel. Spend

the rest of the day exploring the city on your own or simply relaxing before the welcome dinner this evening.

DAY 1

Meals: D

VISIT THE OLD TOWN & CRUISE THE BOSPHORUS

Start the day by discovering the highlights of the ancient Hippodrome, including the Egyptian Obelisk and the

Serpentine Column. Visit the spectacular Hagia Sophia, a former mosque that today houses a museum. After

lunch at a local restaurant, walk through the vibrant streets of the old town to catch a public boat along the

Bosphorus for a 1.5-hour scenic cruise. Back on land, wander through the 17th-century Spice Bazaar and its

colorful stalls filled with spices, herbal teas, and saffron. Return to the hotel on foot.

DAY 2

Activity: 1.5-hour Bosphorus cruise, 5-hour walking

Meals: B, L, D

EXPLORE THE BLUE MOSQUE, THE TOPKAPI PALACE & GRAND BAZAAR

Today visit the 17th-century Blue Mosque, famed for the beautiful blue tiles decorating its interior walls and for

its six minarets. Continue with the Topkapi Palace, former residence of the Ottoman sultans for about 400 years.

See the Harem section, a palace inside the Topkapi, to hear about the history of eunuchs and concubines. After

lunch at a nearby restaurant, explore the buzzy streets of the Grand Bazaar, a 15th-century covered market with

90 alleyways. Roam around for unique souvenirs and walk back to the hotel. Enjoy dinner on your own.

DAY 3

Activity: 6-hour walking tour

Meals: B, L

FLY TO ADIYAMAN & VISIT MOUNT NEMRUD

Take a flight to Adiyaman in southeastern Turkey and transfer to downtown for lunch at a local restaurant and a

visit to the city's archaeological museum, showcasing a collection of artifacts from different periods in history.

Then have a short drive up to Mount Nemrud, one of the highest peaks of Mesopotamia and a UNESCO World

Heritage Site. At the summit (7237'), take in the fascinating tomb of King Antiochus I of Commagene, with

gigantic statues of gods gracing the terraces.

DAY 4

Activity: 3 hours/3-4 miles walking

Meals: B, L, D

DISCOVER THE PROPHETS’ CITY OF URFA

This morning head out to the prophets' city of Urfa, in ancient times known as Edessa. Check into the hotel, have

lunch at a local restaurant, and then head out to explore the city. Visit the Pool of Abraham, Balikli Gol, a sacred

lake with a biblical history. It is believed that Abraham was thrown into fire by Nimrod but God turned the flames

to water and the burning logs into fish. Then walk up to the ancient citadel, an open-air museum with panoramic

views of the city.

DAY 5

Activity: 5 hour/3-4 miles walking

Meals: B, L, D

EXPLORE GOBEKLI TEPE & SEE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF URFA

This morning set out for a short drive to Gobekli Tepe (Potbelly Hill), where German archeologist Klaus Schmidt

made one of the most startling archaeological discoveries of our time: massive carved stones about 11,000

years old, crafted by prehistoric people who had not yet developed metal tools or even pottery. These megaliths

predate Stonehenge by some 6,000 years. Back in the city, visit the archaeological museum with its stellar

collection of findings from the region. End the day with a walk through the bustling markets and bazaars of the

city.

DAY 6

Activity: 5 hours/3-4 miles walking

Meals: B, L

FLY TO ANTALYA & EMBARK ON A GULET CRUISE

This morning transfer to the airport and fly to Antalya (via Istanbul), an ancient city that serves as the gateway to

Turkey's enchanting Turquoise Coast. Enjoy a scenic drive to the port city of Fethiye, through beautifully forested

Tauros Mountains. Arrive to Fethiye and embark the deluxe gulet. Meet the crew, check into the cabins and enjoy

a welcome dinner on board.

DAY 7

Meals: B, D

DAY 8 VISIT THE GHOST TOWN OF KAYAKOY & CRUISE TO A SECLUDED BAY

After breakfast on board, take a ride to the haunting ghost town of Kayakoy and walk through its deserted

churches and homes inhabited by the Turkish-Greek population until 1924. Ride back to Fethiye to embark

the boat again and savor lunch on board. This afternoon, enjoy a 2-hour cruise to a secluded bay and take a

hike among the ruins of Cleopatra's baths, where she often met Marc Anthony according to lore. Enjoy time for

swimming and a special dinner on board.

Meals: B, L, D

VISIT ANCIENT KAUNOS & MARMARIS

Set out early and after a 3-hour voyage, arrive to Koycegiz. After breakfast on board, have a short cruise through

the Dalyan River and visit the ruins of the ancient city of Kaunos. Walk through the archaeological site founded

as early as 8th century BC and marvel at the rock tombs. After another lunch on board, enjoy a 2.5-hour cruise to

the Mediterranean resort town of Marmaris. Wander around town and then, back on the boat, set out for a short

cruise to a secluded bay for the final overnight.

DAY 9

Meals: B, L, D

JOURNEY TO APHRODISIAS & PAMUKKALE

After breakfast on board, disembark the gulet in Marmaris and set out toward Pamukkale in western Turkey. On

the way visit Aphrodisias, an ancient Greek-Hellenistic site dedicated to the goddess of love, Aphrodite. Admire

this UNESCO World Heritage Site with its temples, dating back to 3rd century BC, a theater, an agora, two bath

complexes, and a large hippodrome. Continue on to the town of Pamukkale, known for its mineral-rich thermal

waters, and check into the hotel.

DAY 10

Activity: 2-hour walking tour

Meals: B, L, D

SEE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF HIERAPOLIS

Set out to explore the ancient city of Hierapolis, today's Pamukkale, also known as Cotton Palace. Deriving from

springs in a tall cliff overlooking the plain, calcite-laden waters have created a surreal landscape made up of

mineral forests, petrified waterfalls, and a series of terraced basins. Walk through the ruins of the baths, temples

and other monuments of the thermal spa of Hierapolis, established in 2nd century BC, and visit its amphitheater

and archaeological museum. After lunch at a local restaurant, return to hotel for some rest and the farewell

dinner.

DAY 11

Activity: 5 hours/3-4 miles walking

Meals: B, L, D

DEPART FROM ISTANBUL, TURKEY

This morning after breakfast, take the transfer to the airport for your flight to Istanbul, and connect with your

homebound flight in the afternoon.

DAY 12

Meals: B

May 12 - 23, 2020

Sep 15 - 26, 2020

Oct 13 - 24, 2020

2020

$ 6,995  per person

Additional Cost

$ 315  Internal Airfare

$ 650 Single Supplement

PRICE INCLUDESExpert leadership from experienced adventureguides

Accommodations as noted in the itinerary

Meals as noted in the daily itinerary

Potable water and snacks throughout

1 glass of wine or beer at dinner

All tips and gratuities for support staff with theexception of your lead adventure guide(s)All group entrance fees, activities, and groundtransportation

Arrival and departure day airport transfers

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDEInternational airfare, any airport taxes, or excessbaggage charges

Lunch on Day 7 and dinner on Day 3 & 6

Optional tips to your lead adventure guides

Personal expenses such as medical immunizations,phone calls, laundry, or souvenirsAirport transfers if arriving outside of Day 1 ordeparting outside of Day 12

Optional travel protection